Extensible bracelet clasp



March 414, 1.939. 1 DALO 2,150,318

EXTENSIBLE BRACELET CLASP Filed March 4, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 14,1939. J. DALo y 2,150,318

' EXTENSIBLE BRACELET CLASPy I Filed March 4, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Mar. 14, 1939 EXTENSIBLE BRACELET CLASP John Dalo, Providence,RJ., assignor -to A and YZ Chain Company, Providence, R. I., acorporation of Rhode Island Application March 4, 1937, Serial No.129,023

9 Claims.

The present invention relates tok an extensible clasp for connecting theends of watch-bracelets or the like and consists in improvements inclasps ofthe type illustrated and described in my prior application forUnited States Letters Patent, Serial No. 38,594, led August 30, 1935.

One of the objects of the present invention is `to Vprovide anextensible clasp of the type indicated having a slide freely movable inthe clasp in one direction to contract its length andyieldingly held inadjusted relationship to snugly t the bracelet to the wrist of thewearer.

Another object of the invention is to provide an extensible clasp of thetype indicated in which the adjusting means are wholly enclosed when theclasp is applied tothe wrist to prevent accidental release of theadjustment. Another object of the invention is to provide a clasp of thetype indicated having a resilient pawl member mounted for movement onthe slide "and yieldingly held against abutments on lthe slide toprovide a resilient connection Vtherebetween.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clasp of the typeindicated having al toothed rack on one clasp member which overlies andis y engaged by the resilient pawl on the slide, being so constructedand arranged as to permit the pawl to be depressed and slid by the teethon the rack to release the slide.

Still another object of the invention is to .provide a simple landcompact construction and arrangement of the elements which facilitates4the manufacture and assembly of the parts.

These and other objects will become more apparent from the followingvdescription of two embodiments of the invention illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that thedrawings are for purposes of illustration only and not a definition ofthe limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to theappended claims. In the drawings:

Fig'. 1

is a plan View of a two-part bracelet r connected by the extensibleclasp forming the subject-matter of the present application;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View of the clasp showing its pivotedsections in extended relationship and illustrating in dash lines themanner in which the sections are folded into overlying relationship;

Fig. 3-is a bottom plan View of the clasp showing a portion 'thereof asbroken away to indik:cate the relationship of the 'parts andtheVarrangement of the compression springs which yieldingly connect thepawl to vthe slide;

Fig. 4 is a part sectional View of the clasp showing the slide withdrawnwith respect to the pawl and the connecting springs compressed; 5

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. -2 illustrating the manner inwhich the paWl is depressed to release the rack-teeth and cause theslide to 'be withdrawn from its housing;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional `view10 taken on line 6-6 ofFig. 1 showing the pawl on ythe latching plate engaged with one of theteeth on the rack;

Fig. k' is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line '1 -'I ofFig. 1 showing the slotted 15 construction rof the llatching plate whichgives it the necessary resiliency;

Fig.'8 is a perspective view of the housing member of the clasp and theslide in disassembled extended relationship;

Fig. '9 is atop plan view of a modif-led construction of clasp in whichthe pivoted sections are folded and'nested in the housing through anopening in the top thereof; `and Y Fig, 10 is a side View of themodified form of 25 clasp illustrated in Fig. -9 with the housing shownpartly in section to indicate Athe Yrelationship of the parts.

Referring Vto Fig. 1 of the drawings, the clasp Vmember I0 forming thesubjectematter of. the 30 present application is shown as connecting theends of the sections II and I2 of a two-part bracelet. The braceletsections as `herein illustrated comprise a plurality ofilexiblyeco'nnected links having terminal connectors I3 at their outer35 endsfor attachment vto the bails of a wrist-watch, not shown, but itis to be understood that any other prevailing style vof bracelet may beused Y with the clasp, such as a fabric, leather, mesh or like strap,and the terminal connectors I3 may/40 take other forms.

The preferred `embodiment .of the extensible clasp I'Il, illustrated inFigs. 1 to 8, is comprised v of a plurality of vfoldable sectionsincluding a body member or housing I4, a pair of cooperatingslid- ,45able members I5 and lIii forming aconnecting link, and an end `sectionIl. The body -member or housing l'll is formed with a top plate I8,preferably of sheet-metal, curved longitudinally throughout its lengthto Aconform to the contour i,50 of the wrist. The plate I8 has oppositeside portions If9 and 20 folded downwardly and then inwardly in flanges2| and 22 having their edges terminating in parallel spaced-apart.relation- V-ship, see Figs. 16 and'l. -The top plate I8, to- 55 getherwith the folded sides I9 and 25, provide longitudinally-extendingchannels 2d and 25 at the opposite sides of the body member. At one endthe plate portion I8 has a narrow lip 26 extending beyond the foldedsides I9 and 42i) and adapted to be bent over for a purpose as laterexplained, see Fig. 8, while the opposite end of the plate portion I8has a curved lip 2l, see Figs. 1 and 4, to provide a finger-piece forprying the clasp open. A pivot-pin 28 extends between the folded sidesI9 and 25 of the plate I8 at the end of the body member I4 adjacent thefinger-piece 2, g Y

The member l5 forming one part of the connecting link is of rectangularshape with a centrally-depressed groove 32 extending throughout thegreater portion of its length and forming side rails 33 and 3d. IThemember I5 is pivotally connected to the body member I@ by spaced loops35 at its end embracing the pivotpin 23, and the side rails 33 and 34are adapted to slide in lateral channels 35 and 3l of usual constructionat the sides of the link member I5. The relative sliding movement of themembers I5 and It is limited by the engagement of a detent 38 on themember I5 with the opposite ends of the groove 32 in the member I5 intowhich the detent projects. The channeled sides of the member I5 extendbeyond its plate portion and the extended ends are flattened and piercedto form apertured ears IIB for pivotal connection with the end sectionI1 of the clasp.

The end section Il comprises a base plate 4I with its opposite sides I2and i3 folded upwardly to provide projecting anges. At oneV end, theplate 4I is slotted adjacent the sides 42 and 43 to receive the ears d5on the member I6 and the material of the plate between the slots iscurled around to form a loop 39. A pin 4d, riveted in holes in the sideflanges 42 and 43, extends through the loop 39 at one end of the endsection I1 and the apertured ears di) on the link member I6 forpivotally connecting the link memberV and end section. The end sectionI'i is substantially equal in width to that of the Space between theparallel edges of the anges 2l and 22-on the body member or housing I5and the flanges 42 and 43 on the section Il have detents l5 forcooperation with these edges. The opposite end of the end'section I'Ihas a loop 46 for embracing the end link of the bracelet Section I2 toprovide a flexible connection therewith.

As thus far described the clasp is not materially different from thoseheretofore used, the link members I5 and I5 being adapted to telescopeone into the other and together with the end section I1 to fold into thebody member or housing I4 in overlying relationship in the mannerindicated by dash lines in Fig. 2; the link members and end sectionbeing curved throughout their length to conform to the longitudinalcurvature of the body member. As shown in Figs 6 and '7, the linkmembers I5 and I5 lie wholly betweenY the anges i2 and 43 on the endsection I l and the fdanges i2 and d3 -lie wholly between the terminaledges of the folded flanges 2i and 22 at the sides of the body membervIfl. The several sections of the clasp are latched together in foldedrelationship by the engagement of the detents 55 on the side flanges l2and 43 of the end section I'! with the edges of the anges 2| and 22'onthe folded sides I9 and 2U of the body member Iii.

The present invention is directed particularly to the adjustable featureof the clasp to adapt it to be manually contracted in length and toprovide a resilient yielding action to permit a limited vexpansion andcontraction in its length when the parts are in adjusted relationship.To this end a slide 5I! in the form of a U-shaped or bifurcated frameshown in inverted position inl Fig. 8 is mounted in the body member I4for relative longitudinal movement with respect thereto. The slide 5I?is preferably stamped from flat stock to form spaced side rails 5I and52 Y with a crossbar 53 Yat one end, the side rails 5I and 52 being ofproper dimensions throughout the greater portion of their length toadapt them to t in the channels 25 and 25 of the body member or housing'I4'. At their free ends the sideH rails 5I and 52 have reduced shankportions 55, preferably shaped during the stamping operation and formingspaced shoulders 55 and 55. The crossbar 53 is also reduced incross-sectional area at its central portion to adapt it to receive aloop5l at the end of the bracelet section II curled therearound to providean articulated connection.

A latching member is mounted on the slide 50 for relative movementthereon, the latching member being assembled on the slide before thelatter is inserted into the body member or housing I The latching member55 is vcomprised of a resilient plate of appropriate width to adapt itto t the opening between the side rails 5I andfao 52 and having lateralwing portions folded or bent around to form bearings 62 and 53 whichloosely-embrace the reduced Shanks 54 of the side rails. At one end ofthe plate 66 a portion of the material is struck up from the plane ofthe plate to form an inclined detent or pawl E4. The plate 55 is slittedin U-shape at the'rear of the pawl 55 to form a tongue 55 which isdepressed from the plane of the plate at the side opposite from thepawl. The tongue 55 bears against the top of the housing I4 toyyieldingly press the main portion of the plate Gil with the pawlIlIdownwardly at an angle thereto, the loose connection of the bearings 52'and 53 with the Shanks 55 permitting a limited rocking movement of theplate. The forward edges of the bearings 52 and 53 areryieldingly heldin abutting engagement with the shoulders 55 Von the spaced rails 5I and52 of the slide 55 by coiledY compression springs 55Y acting between theopposite edges of the bearings 52 and 63 and the shoulders 55 adjacentthe ends of the rails. The springs 66 are coiled around the rails 5i and52 and form a yielding connection between theV slide 5I) and latchingmember 50 to normally hold the mem? bers in predetermined relationshipbut yielding to allow a limited relative movement therebetween.

4 As another feature of the invention a toothed rack-plate I5 isprovided to serve the double function of retaining the slide 5l? inassembled relationship in the body member or housing I4 and cooperatingwith the pawl i515. to hold the slide in adjusted position. Asillustrated most clearly in Fig. 8, the rack-plate l0 is of a widthsubstantially equal to or slightly less than the distance between themarginal edges of the inturned Y flanges 2l and 22 on the housing I4.The plate 'luis hingedly mounted at one end on the pivotpin 28 at theend of the housing lli by means of a curled ear II which embraces thepin between lIE falobgre a clearance space rextenk'iifngcentrallyAthere-- between. In other words, the teeth 12 are formed by oppositerows of projections rwhich extend inwardly toward each-other with spacesbetween their ends forming a :continuous slot throughout the length ofthe toothed portion of the rackplate. The opposite free end of the plate1I] is curved upwardly at 14 and has a -lug 15 bent' downwardly acrossits edge. The rack-plate 'I0 is normally held in the positionillustrated in Figs. 2 and 5 by l'the narrow lip 2li at the end of thehousing or body member I4, which is ybent back over its curved end 14;van aperture 16 being provided in the lip 26 through which Athe lug 15 onthe plate extends. With the free -end of the rack-plate 10 rigidly heldby the curled lip 26 the rack-teeth 12 overlie and are `yieldin-glyengaged by the inclined pawl 64 on the latching rnernberv60. A preferredform of construction having now lbeen described 'in detail, the methodof assembling the parts and the Amode of operation of the complete claspwill be next explained.

The latching plate `60 is rst mounted on the slide 50 by `folding itslateral wings about the reduced shanks 54 of the side -rails 5I and 52'to provide the bearings 62 and 63.y The springs 66 are then applied tothe reduced Shanks 54 and compressed between the shoulders 56 vand the23'its bearings 62 and 63 to assemble the parts in a selfcontained unit.It will be understood that the springs YIE6 may be slid' over the endsof the sha'nks 54 and the ends thereof thereafter staked, spread orupset to form the shoulders 56 to retain the springs inV position. Theassembled unit comprising the slide 5I] and latching member 60 is thenslid into the body member or housing I4. The pivoted rack-plate 1D isnext lconnected to the pivot-pin 28 and folded downwardly to causeit tolie in the housing I4 between the edges oi' the Viianges 2I and 22 andits curved free end 14 to enter the opening between the spaced siderails 5I and 52 of the slide 50. The rack-teeth 12 will then overlie andbe positioned to be engaged by the yielding pawl 64. The freer end 14 ofthe rack-plate 10 is attached to the body or housing member I4 bybending back the lip 26 to cause the lug 15 to enter the slot 16. Therack-plate ously explained.

Toapply the clasp to the wrist when connected to theopposite ends'of thebracelet 'sections II and I2 the'articulated sections I4, I5', I6 and I1are vunfolded and the bracelet'slidovervthe lhand of the wearer. Theclasp is then closed by rst sliding the member I5 telescopica'lly on thememlber I6 and folding'the sections I4, I5, I6and I1 together in the-manner indicated by the dash lines in Fig. 2. The end section `I1s'pressed into the body member or housingY I4ito`ca'use the detents tosnap by the opposed Vedges'o'f the ang'es '2l 'an-d 22 to latch theparts in folded relationship. In this folded vrelatior'i'ship of theparts the member I6 rests against the"rac`k-plate 10, see Figs. 6 and"7, and theadjus'ting means is.

wholly enclosed within 'the clasp'bo'dy'or housing I4. l

The 'slide'5 maythen ybe jteles'copedwithin the "from the end sectionI1.

'the length of the llbracelet to conform lto the size of the wrist. "I'he two parts of the clasp are 'movedinto contracted relationship bymanually pressing the fingers against the end of the slide and theopposite end of the member I4. During Athis inward movement of the slide50 with respect to the body'member I4 the inclined detent or pawl 64slides across the teeth 12 on the rackplate 10. Due to the pressure ofthe resilient tongue 65 on the latchingmember 60 against Vthe top of thehousing I4 the pawl 64 is yieldingly heldin contact with the teeth 12 onthe rack as it slides thereover. The contraction of the clasp iscontinued until the bracelet ts the wrist snugly, at 'which time the endof the inclined pawl 64 engages one of the teeth on the rack-plate 'I0to latch the slide in adjusted relationship `-with respect to the bodymember I4.

With the clasp closed as above described, the slide 50 may have alimited movement of extension and retraction to compensate for theexi'ng of the wrist as the springs 66 expand and contract between theyabutment shoulders 56 on the side rails of the slide and the bearings62 vand 63 on the latching plate 60. As the slide 5I) is'extended fromthe body member I4 it moves with respect to the latching member 60 andrack-plate 10 against the compression of the springs 66 and has a rangeof movement as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. Retraction of the slide intothe body member I4 by the springs 66 is limited by theengage'ment of theshoulders on its side Yrails 5I and 52 against the `bearings 62 and 63.VIn this manner the slide 50 is yieldably extendible with respect it islatched to adapt the length of the bracelet [to be automaticallyadjustedwithin definite limits.

When once adjusted the slide ,cannot be accidentally released as thelatching member and rackbar 'I0 are wholly enclosed within the `claspYhousing I4.

When the bracelet is to `be removed from `the wrist the linger-nail isinserted under ythe lip 21 on the bodyvmember I4 to pry the latter awayThe sections of the clasp may then be extended as shown 1n Figs. 2 and 3and the bracelet removed over the hand.

yWhen again applied to the wrist and 'collapsed the clasp will be'properly adjusted to fit the Wrist due to the 'latching engagement ofthe pawl 64 with a pair of the teeth 12 on the rack-plate 10, In otherwords, when once adjusted the clasp will retain its adjustment eventhough its sections are folded and unfolded many times. If

however, the bracelet is 'found to be too tight or if for any otherreason it is desired to extend the length of the clasp the detent orpawl 64 may be depressed to release it from the teeth 12 on therack-plate 10. To accomplish this result any sharp pointed instrumentsuch as a pen knife z may be inserted in the slot 13 extendinglongitudinally of the teeth 12 and pressed' angularly against the pawl64 to depress it against lthe resilient action of the tongue orangularly related leaf 65 which normally holds the pawl in engage-y mentwith the teeth. By pressing the instrument againstthe pawl 64 inthis'manner the slide 50 may be slid inthe housing or body member I4 toextend it therefrom during which movement vthe point of the implement zslides inthe longitudinal slot 13. The'extension movement of theslide'50 rto the rack-plate 10 and body member I 4 to which c55 islimited by the engagement Yof the end of the l "the housing member I4."Afte'rthe slideSIllhas been extended vfrom the housing ld and the de-.tent or pawl SA released the length of the bracelet vcan be readjustedin the manner as previously explained by telescoping the slide into thebody member ifi to the extent required, this adjustment beingaccomplished with the bracelet on the wrist With-the inclined pawl @dsliding freely overrthe teeth 'i2 on the rack-plate l'l.

In the modified form of clasp illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 the bodymember lll is orinverted construction as compared to that rst described.The sides of the bottom plate of the body portion It are folded upwardlyand inwardly instead of downwardly and inwardly to form an opening 8S onthe top of the claspinto which theV articulated sections i andv il arefolded. VThe section il' is provided with detents 45 for holding theparts latched within the housing llland includes a lip 32 to be engagedby the finger-nail to pry the end section i away from the body member orhousing. In other words, in the embodiment oi the invention illustratedin Figs. 9 and 1G the articulated sections are folded one over the otherand nested in the top of the body member or housing iii instead ofvinthe bottom of the housing iii. The method of assembling the parts andthe mode of operation oi this construction, however, is substantiallyidentical with that described with respect to thefirst form .of theinvention.

Although the sections of the clasp have been described as preferablymade of sheet-metal Ystamped out and folded to shape, it is to beunderstood that they maybe made of any other suitable material whethermolded, pressed or otherwise formed. It is also to be understood thatthe Vclaspmay be made without the foldable sections, that is, asincluding only the housing or freely slid in one direction to adjust thelength of the clasp while yieldingly holding the slide against movementin the opposite direction; an outstanding advantage oi' thisconstruction being that the clasp may be adjusted on the wrist and whenonce adjusted will retain its adjustment for repeated applications ofthe bracelet to and its removal from the wrist. Moreover, the

' yielding action of the clasp provides a more comfortable lt of thebracelet on the wrist without binding or pinching when the wrist isflexed.

Although only two embodiments of the invention are herein shown anddescribed, it is to be noted that other variations may be made in theform and arrangement of the parts oi the device witnin the spirit andscope of theinvention. Therefore, without limiting myself in thisrespect,

I claim: a Y

l. In al1-extensible clasp for bracelets, a clasp member, a slide in theclasp member having side Y rails with an opening therebetween, said siderails having spaced shoulders, a resilient pawl in the opening in theslide having bearings embracing the `side rails and slidable betweenVthe shoulders, a toothed rack iixed to the clasp member and overlyingthe pawl, and a compression spring on each side Arail acting between oneof the shoulders and arbear'ing on the pawl to yieldingly hold' thebearings ,Y in abutting engagement with the opposite shoulders.

,2. In an extensible clasp for bracelets, a clasp larly-disposedresilient portions and bearings at Y its sides embracing the side rails,a rack-plate fixed to the clasp member and overlying the latchingmember, one of the resilient portions of` vkthe latching member bearingagainst the clasp member and the other portion having ay detent.yieldngly heldin engagement with the rackplate whereby the slide may beslid into the clasp member and held against outward movement by thedetent, and compression springs on the side rails engaging the bearingson the latching member to yieldingly hold the slide in adjustedposition. Y

. 3. Ina device of the type indicated, a clasp member, a slide ontheclaspI member having side rails with an opening therebetween, aresilient pawl in the opening having bearings embracing the side. railsYof the slide, resilient means for yieldinglyV holding the Y pawl inpredetermined position on the slide, and a plate attached to the claspmember and overlying the pawl, said platehaving rackteeth engaged by thepawl and a slot extending transversely of the rack-teeth through which atool may be inserted to depress the pawl out of engagement with therack-teeth and thereby release the slideV for movement in the claspmember.

4. In a device of the type indicated, a clasp member having channels atits sides, a slide having side rails slidable in the channels, aresilient pawl positioned between the side rails and having bearings atits opposite sides embracing the side rails, a plate in the clasp memberhaving rack-teeth, and interengaging means on the clasp member and platefor holding the latter with the rack-teeth inoperative position withrespect to the pawl and the slide rin assembled relation in the claspmember. Y

v5, In adevice of the type indicated,-a clasp member, a` plate on theclasp member having rack-teeth, pivot-means for attaching one end of theplate to the clasp member, detachable holding means on the clasp memberfor engaging the free end ofthe plate whereby said end may be releasedand the plate swung on its pivot, a slide mounted between the claspmember and plate, and a resilient pawl on the slide cooperating with therack-teeth on the plate to hold the slide in, adjusted position on theclasp member.

6. In an extensible clasp for bracelets, a clasp member, a slide havingspaced side rails with an opening therebetween and mounted to slide onvthe clasp member, a resilient pawl in the opening between the siderailsof the slide, means at the sides of the pawl for connecting' it to theside rails of the slide, and a toothed rack-plate disposed in theopening between the side rails of the slide overlying the resilient pawlto enclose the Vlatter between it and the clasp member, said rackfplatehaving its opposite ends attached to thebIaSpmember to retain the pawland slide assemblyin the clasp member.

7.' In an extensible clasp for bracelets, a clasp member, a slide havingspaced side rails with an opening therebetween and mounted to slide onthe clasp member, aresilient pawl disposed in the opening between theside rails and' having bearingsat its sides embracing the side rails toslide thereon, a toothed rack attached to the clasp member and overlyingthe resilient pawl, and resilient means for yieldingly holding the pawlin predetermined position on the slide.

8. In an extensible clasp for bracelets, a clasp member, a slide mountedto slide on the clasp member and having spaced side rails with anopening therebetween, a latching member in the opening between the siderails of the slide and having bearings at its sides embracing the siderails for sliding movement thereon, said latching member havingangularly-disposed resilient portions with one of said portions bearingagainst the clasp member and the other portion constituting a detent, atoothed rack attached to the clasp member and overlying the detent onthe latching member for cooperation therewith, and resilient means foryieldingly holding the latching member in predetermined position on theslide.

9. In a device of the type indicated, a clasp member, a slide in theclasp member having side rails with an opening therebetween, a resilientpaw] positioned in the opening between the side rails and connected tothe latter,and a plate overlying the pawl in the opening between theside rails of the slide and having its opposite ends attached to theclasp member, said plate having rack-teeth adapted to be engaged by thepawl and a slot extending transversely of the rackteeth through which atool may be inserted to depress the pawl out of engagement with therack-teeth and thereby release the slide for movement in the claspmember.

JOHN DALO.

